President’s visit helps deepen ties with Cuba

Updated: 16:28’ - 01/10/2015

The visit by President Truong Tan Sang to Cuba contributed to deepening solidarity, cooperation and trust between the two Parties, States and peoples, Cuban President Raul Castro Ruz said on September 29 in Havana.

During President Sang’s three-day visit starting on September 28, the leaders agreed that Vietnam-Cuba relations have reaped positive developments across many sectors, spurred by the exchange of all-level delegations, effective bilateral cooperative mechanisms, and the implementation of the bilateral economic agenda signed in March last year.

They pointed out that the two countries have untapped potential in economics, trade, investment, science-technology, aquaculture, processing industry, energy, healthcare-medicine and education-training.

They therefore noted the need to maintain Inter-Governmental Committee meetings, strategic dialogues and political consultancies between deputy foreign ministers.

The Presidents suggested legal frameworks be improved and a new trade agreement be inked to maximize economic, trade and investment cooperation.

The two leaders proposed both countries to improve the efficiency of joint agriculture and aquaculture projects; facilitate business market access; and carry out joint venture projects on oil and gas production, tourism infrastructure construction, building materials, consumer goods, telecom software and device production.

The two countries should consider establishing mechanisms for joint research and pilot production of medicines and new-generation bio-healthcare products along with promoting cultural, sports, tourism, education and training partnerships, the leaders agreed.

After their talks, the two Presidents witnessed the signing of a Governmental-level Agreement on mutual recognition of tertiary education qualifications and a Memorandum of Understanding on exchange of information on banking inspection and supervision between the State Bank of Vietnam and the Central Bank of Cuba.-(VNS/VLLF)